Food Safe Hardwoods

Hi Lumberjocks, I would like to try my hand at making some cutting boards, routed bowls, and trays and would like to know what woods are food safe. I have been doing some research and have become quite confused, if anyone could let me know which ones from my list of favourites are food safe that would be great.Thx Guys & Gals

5 replies so far

well honestly, and it’s gonna sound funny, it depends on if you have wood allergies. After working some woods, you can become allergic to others.

Typically maple is used though because it resists the rust rings from pots and pans, where others do not when making butcherblock countertops. But to my knowledge maple, birch, poplar… well there’s alot of them.

Mostly the tanins in the wood will kill off most bacteria anyways, there are a few woods however that can be toxic, though I can’t remember which ones they are at the moment, as I’ve never worked any of them. Maybe a few that are unpleasant to work though…l

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